Effects of sprouted and nonsprouted wheat and barley with and without enzyme on intestinal morphometry of broiler chickens

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of sprouted and nonsprouted wheat and barley with and without enzyme on the histomorphology of small intestinal mucosa. Three hundred and thirty-six 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were divided randomly into seven treatments and four replications (12 chicks in each replicate). The experimental treatments were as follows: (1) corn-based diet (control), (2) wheat-based diet?+?0.1 % enzyme (a multienzyme product), (3) sprouted wheat-based diet?+?0.1 % enzyme, (4) sprouted wheat-based diet without enzyme, (5) barley-based diet?+?0.1 % enzyme, (6) sprouted barley-based diet?+?0.1 % enzyme, and (7) sprouted barley-based diet without enzyme. For enteric morphometric analysis, the small intestines of the four broilers for each treatment were collected at 42 days. The traits evaluated were villus length, villus width, and crypt depth. The addition of multienzyme to wheat- and barley-based diets and the use of sprouted wheat in the diet increased the villus height in the ileum compared with the control. The addition of multienzyme to wheat- and barley-based diets and the use of sprouted wheat in the diet increased (P?<?0.05) the villus height in the ileum compared with the control. The villus crypt depth was significantly decreased for sprouted barley supplementations compared with the control. The sprouted wheat with enzyme supplementation increased the villus length/crypt depth ratio compared with the control. According to results of this experiment, it can be concluded that wheat and barley with multienzyme or sprouting wheat and barley can be used as replacement grains for corn in broiler production.     

Negative pressure wound therapy reduces incidence of postoperative wound infection and dehiscence after long-segment thoracolumbar spinal fusion: a single institutional experience

Background contextWound dehiscence and surgical site infections (SSIs) can have a profound impact on patients as they often require hospital readmission, additional surgical interventions, lengthy intravenous antibiotic administration, and delayed rehabilitation. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) exposes the wound site to negative pressure, resulting in the improvement of blood supply, removal of excess fluid, and stimulation of cellular proliferation of granulation tissue.PurposeTo assess the incidence of wound infection and dehiscence in patients undergoing long-segment thoracolumbar fusion before and after the routine use of NPWT.Study designRetrospective study.Patient sampleOne hundred sixty patients undergoing long-segment thoracolumbar spine fusions were included in this study.Outcome measuresPostoperative incidence of wound infection and dehiscence.MethodsAll adult patients undergoing thoracolumbar fusion for spinal deformity over a 6-year period at Duke University Medical Center by the senior author (CB) were included in this study. In 2012, a categorical change was made by the senior author (CB) that included the postoperative routine use of incisional NPWT devices after primary wound closure in all long-segment spine fusions. Before 2012, NPWT was not used. After primary wound closure, a negative pressure device is contoured to the size of the incision and placed over the incision site for 3 postoperative days. We retrospectively review the first 46 cases in which NPWT was used and compared them with the immediately preceding 114 cases to assess the incidence of wound infection and dehiscence.ResultsOne hundred sixty (NPWT: 46 cases, non-NPWT: 114 cases) long-segment thoracolumbar spine fusions were performed for deformity correction. Baseline characteristics were similar between both cohorts. Compared with the non-NPWT cohort, a 50% decrease in the incidence of wound dehiscence was observed in the NPWT patient cohort (6.38% vs. 12.28%, p=.02). Similarly, compared with the non-NPWT cohort, the incidence of postoperative SSIs was significantly decreased in the NPWT cohort (10.63% vs. 14.91%, p=.04).ConclusionsRoutine use of incisional NPWT was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative wound infection and dehiscence.     

A histological study of the outer layer of rabbit fish (Siganus javus) eye

The rabbit fish is an economically valuable teleost species which lives in shallow coastal waters amongst aquatic plants. Two species of rabbit fish, Siganus sutore and Siganus javus, have been identified in the sea south of Iran. In this study, in order to investigate the histology of the outer layer of the S. javus eye, the eyes of 12 healthy specimens of S. javus were extracted and histologic sections were prepared. The sections were studied under a light microscope after staining with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stains. The outer layer was composed of the cornea cranially and the sclera caudally. The sclera contained an episclera zone and two cartilaginous segments with connective tissue correlation. The cornea included dermal components (stratified cuboidal epithelium, Bowman's membrane, and dermal stroma with occasional flattened cells); the scleral part consisted of two main layers (irregular fibers of connective tissue overlaying the second scleral stroma layer). The fibers of the scleral stroma were the only component present at the posterior part of the cornea. These results reveal that the eye of S. javus does not possess Descemet's membrane or endothelium in the cornea.     

Gastroprotective effect of mummy on induced gastric ulcer in rats

Mummy was used in traditional medicine as a remedy for inflammation, articular injuries, rheumatism, bone fractures, wounds and back pains. In previous research, the healing effects of mummy on a rabbit’s tibial fracture were studied, and the results supported its efficacy. In consideration of claims and suggestions by traditional medicine about the effectiveness of mummy on wound healing, the present study was aimed at investigating the protective effect of mummy on gastric ulcer induced by ethanol. Young male albino rats (NMRI strain, n?=?21, 190–230 g body weight) were randomly divided into three experimental groups: treatment group, positive control group and negative control group, each containing seven rats. All animals had been exposed to starvation for 24 h and then received oral ethanol (1 ml/200 g body weight). The treatment group received 100 mg/kg/day mummy; the positive control group received 200 mg/kg/day cimethidine, and the negative control group received 5 ml/kg/day distilled water for 2 weeks by gavages. One hour after the last treatment, all animals were killed, and their stomachs were dissected. The number and length of ulcers were determined using stereomicroscope; then graticule and the ulcer index and curative ratio were calculated. Data was analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. The administration of mummy significantly decreased the gastric ulcer score and ulcer index in the treatment group, compared with the positive control and negative control groups. The curative ratio in the treatment group was significantly higher than the negative control and the positive control groups (89.26 versus 87.79 %, respectively). The results showed excellent effects of mummy on wound healing after the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats.     

Circulation of Brucellaceae,Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp. in borderline of Iran,Azerbaijan, and Armenia

Objective: To estimate the infection of ticks to Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, Theileria, and Brucellaceae using molecular methods in borderline of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.Methods: Totally, 2 022 ticks were collected from different livestock. Then, species were diagnosed under stereomicroscope according to valid morphological keys. Tick DNA was extracted followed by PCR to detect Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Theileria, Babesia and Brucellaceae infection in ticks. Results: A total of 498 males [24.62%(95% CI 22.76%-26.57%)], 741 females [36.64%(95% CI 34.54%-38.79%)], 782 nymphs [38.67%(95% CI 36.55%-40.84%)] and 1 larva [0.04%(95% CI 0.00%-0.28%)] were identified. Among identified samples, we found four genera including Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, and Dermacentor. Molecular assay revealed that the prevalence of ticks to Anaplasma or Ehrlichia, and Brucellaceae was 22.02%(95% CI 16.01%-29.06%) and 15.03%(95% CI 9.43%-22.26%), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the identified Anaplasma sp. had the most similarity with Anaplasma centrale, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma camelii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, submitted in Gen Bank. Furthermore, the detected Ehrlichia sp. and Brucellaceae bacterium had the most similarity with Ehrlichia ruminantium and Mycoplana peli, respectively. However, no sign of the presence of Theileria and Babesia spp. was seen in the studied samples. Conclusions: Anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and brucellosis should be considered as important health threats in northwestern Iran and consistent monitoring on infection of ticks and livestock should be performed regularly.     

Intermittent hypoxia during development induces long-term alterations in spatial working memory, monoamines, and dendritic branching in rat frontal cortex

Exposure to intermittent hypoxia (IH), such as occurs in sleep-disordered breathing, is associated with increased apoptosis in vulnerable brain regions as well as with spatial reference memory deficits in adult and developing rats. The latter are more susceptible to IH, suggesting that early exposure to IH may have long-term consequences. Rats were exposed to 14 d of room air (RA) or IH starting at postnatal d 10. Working memory was then assessed in the water maze at 4 mo of age using a delayed matching to place task in which the rats were required to locate a submerged platform hidden in a novel location on the first trial (T1 or acquisition trial), and then remember that position after a delay (T2 or test trial). Mean escape latencies and swim distances were derived and the savings (T1-T2) were used as a measure of working memory. Male but not female rats exposed to IH showed working memory deficits at both a 10- and 120-min delay (for both latency and pathlength). Additionally, Sholl analysis of Golgi-stained neurons revealed decreased dendritic branching in the frontal cortex, but not the hippocampus, of male rats exposed to IH. Norepinephrine concentrations, dopamine turnover, and tyrosine hydroxylase activity were increased similarly in males and females. However, increased dopamine concentrations were present only in the frontal cortex of female rats. In conclusion, exposure to IH during a critical developmental period is associated with long-term alterations in frontal cortical dopaminergic pathways that may underlie gender differences in neurobehavioral deficits.     

The effect of intraarticular serum rich in growth factors (SRGF) on knee osteoarthritis in the rat model

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease with high incidence in world. Various treatments have been used for decreasing pain and improving physical function without clearly beneficial evidences. Nowadays, platelet-rich therapy is used as a novel approach in field of regenerative medicine. The present study evaluated the effect of intraarticular serum rich in growth factors (SRGF) on the monosodium iodoacetate induced-osteoarthritis in rat model. SRGF was injected 3 times weekly. Femorotibial joints were examined 2 weeks after last injection. Histopathologic results showed remarkable articular regeneration in the SRGF treated rats. Our findings were less surface irregularities and articular clefts, proliferation of chondrocytes and increasing synthesis of matrix proteoglycan with toluidine blue staining. Destroyed articular cartilage was repaired by fibro-hyaline cartilage in contrast to the OA rats that filled with fibrovascular tissues. The microscopic score had decreased in the treatment group. We concluded that SRGF, as a source of growth factors, have chondroinductive capacity with regard to enhancement of cartilage regeneration.     

Topical Metronidazole can Reduce Pain after Surgery and Pain on Defecation in Postoperative Hemorrhoidectomy

Background Topical metronidazole (10 percent) has been previously demonstrated to decrease postoperative pain after hemorrhoidectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical metronidazole (10 percent) in reducing postoperative and after-defecation pain of hemorrhoidectomy. Materials and Methods A double-blind, randomized trial was conducted to compare posthemorrhoidectomy pain with use of topical metronidazole (10 percent) vs. placebo carrier, applied to surgical site. Forty-seven patients were randomly allocated to receive metronidazole (n = 25) or placebo (n = 22). Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale preoperatively and on postoperative hours 6 and 12 and at days 1, 2, 7, and 14. The use of narcotic, additional analgesics, and complications were recorded. (Pain scores were calculated and compared with baseline values and control group (t test, SPSS ver.10). Results Patients in the topical metronidazole group had significantly less postoperative pain than those in the placebo group up to day 14 (P ≤ 0.04). There was no significant difference in narcotic analgesic requirements between groups, except on hour 12 (P < 0.05). In the metronidazole group, after-defecation pain was ranked significantly lower at day 2 (P = 0.016) and patients required fewer additional analgesics postoperatively on days 2 and 7 (P ≤ 0.04). Conclusion These finding indicate that topical 10 percent metronidazole significantly reduce posthemorrhoidectomy discomfort, and postoperative defecation pain is reduced compared with that of the placebo control group. Support: A grant of vice-chancellor for research of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences     

The prevalence of Linguatula serrata nymphs in camels slaughtered in Mashhad slaughterhouse,Northeast, Iran

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of nymphal stages of L. serrata in mesenteric lymph nodes of camels slaughtered in Mashhad slaughterhouse, Northeast of Iran.

Methods

For this purpose, mesenteric lymph nodes of 400 camels of different sex and age were examined. The lymph nodes were examined macroscopically and a digestion method was also applied for investigation of samples which was negative macroscopically.

Results

The mesenteric lymph nodes of 73 camels out of 400 (18.25%) were infected by L. serrata nymphs.

Conclusions

Prevalence of L. serrata nymphs in males and females and different age was not significantly different (P>0.05), but difference was observed between the prevalence in different seasons (P< 0.05). The potential importance of these findings to human health is discussed. This is the first report of infection with L. serrate of camels in camels slaughtered at northeast of Iran.